Chicken lorry crash causes chaos
A specialist team has been brought in to catch the chickens
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Much of central Scotland was brought to a standstill this morning after a lorry containing 3,000 chickens crashed on the A80, leaving birds running loose. The lorry jack-knifed on the southbound carriageway, near Haggs, at 0430 BST, leaving the 45-year-old driver with serious back injuries.
Central Scotland Police said about 400 chickens were killed in the incident.
The road, which serves as a main route to Glasgow, Stirling, Perth and Dundee, was reopened by police at 1245 BST.
Ch Insp Donald McMillan said: “Around 400 chicken carcasses have been cleared from the scene and the road has now re-opened.
“A team from Bear Scotland have also been in attendance to ensure the road is clear of debris.
“This is a main strategic route for the area and the incident this morning did cause a lot of disruption but we expect traffic will be back to normal within half an hour.”
The road closure caused chaos for motorists across the Forth Valley, with severe tailbacks on the M9 northbound Kinnaird to Pirnhall route.
The crash caused chaos across the central belt
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In the hours following the crash, vets and a specialist team from Noble Foods in Glenrothes were at the scene to help catch the birds, many of whom were running about the road.
It is understood the birds will be taken to the company’s hen processing plant in Gainsborough.
Motorist Tony Collins, from Cumbernauld, described the scene as commuters tried to make their way to work during the morning rush hour.
He said: “There are boxes all over the carriageway and there were still a few chickens running around the embankment.”
The Scottish SPCA said it had concerns for the welfare of the chickens.
Spokeswoman Doreen Graham said many of them could be in shock and may die.